5 Newsdesk: London area Class 31s
Four more bespoke Brush Type 2s are added to the Accurascale range, joining a large collection of ‘OO’ gauge Class 31s already at the engineering prototype stage.
Busy Bachmann shows off its new prototypes for ‘N’ gauge Class 158s, and ‘OO’ gauge Class 25s.
BRUSH Type 2 locomotives fitted with London Underground trip-cock gear join the ranks of ‘OO’ gauge Class 30 and Class 31 locomotives announced last month by Accurascale. In its usual style, the company is identifying locomotives with specific equipment not modelled in the past.
Four models representing this unusual fleet of Finsbury Park and Hitchin-allocated Class 31s are added to the range. They were delivered with tripcock gear attached to the bufferbeam fairing of the second man’s side from new, for operation on suburban services between Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City/Hertford North.
Furthermore, another new feature hitherto not offered on a Class 31 model in the past is the exhaust panel associated with Mirrlees engines, which is applied to one model, No. D5615, which will be finished in BR green with small yellow warning panels.
Single line tablet catcher recesses are also modelled on two of the four new models: No. 5674 decorated in
BR green with full yellow ends and BR blue No. 31248. The tablet catcher recesses and apparatus were fitted to six locomotives for operation on the Highdyke iron ore branch in Lincolnshire, and becomes another first for a ‘OO’ gauge Class 31 model.
Finally, the fourth Class 31 is a longawaited Class 31/4 fitted with electric train supply equipment representing Nos. 31402, one of eight trip-cock Class 31/4s to be so equipped for empty stock working from London terminals.
The four new additions to the range, complete with the trip-cock detail, tablet catcher recesses and different roof panels as applied to No. D5615 and No. 31402, will share the same specification as those locomotives announced last month. A five-pole motor, flywheels and four-axle drive (unpowered middle axle on each bogie) are included, along with a motor driven cooling fan and advanced electronics for lighting and digital sound.
Pre-orders are being taken for the Brush type 2 locomotives which
are priced at £169.99. A sound-fitted option is also offered for £269.99 except No. D5615 due to the lack of sound files for Mirrlees Brush Type 2s.
West Coast Mk.2s
Livery samples for West Coast Railways Mk.2b TSO stock, the most up-to-date versions of the brand-new ‘OO’ gauge models being developed by Accurascale, were released recently. They show TSO No. 5487 with up-todate
markings and a highly detailed interior, including seats with their winged head rests. A second TSO is being produced in this livery as
No. 5478. More livery samples are due soon, which will be reported here when pictures arrive. The coaches are sold for £59.95 and include features such as interior lighting with power capacitors, ‘EM’ and ‘P4’ gauge compatibility and a high level of detail.
www.accurascale.co.uk